Clark’s Allied Health programs honored this year’s graduates with two noteworthy ceremonies, celebrating the achievements of our nursing and dental hygienist programs.

Dental Hygienists Stand Proud in Purple

Graduates and families were dressed to the nines at this year’s Dental Hygiene Senior Recognition. It was an elegant affair, with purple balloons and flowers – the program’s signature color – adding to the celebratory experience.

Students and faculty had a lot to celebrate. This year’s dental hygienist students examined 651 patients, completed 76 weeks of school, and passed 64 exams – a testimony to the time and effort they put into building their futures. As Danielle Hovey, this year’s student speaker put it, “You can’t spell HARD without an RDH.”

But the hard work paid off. Throughout the evening, students were honored with awards, accolades, and heartfelt gratitude for their dedication to their education.

“You remind people that they matter,” Professor Kristi Taylor said in her welcome toast. “Just by showing up and doing what you do best.”

Clark Vice President of Instruction, Dr. William ‘Terry’ Brown spoke to the graduating class, sharing a story about his first time at the clinic, when student Liliya Dudko pointed out something on his x-ray that no dentist of his had ever caught before and then encouraged him to practice proper dental care.

“That is the care and passion that clinicians ought to have for their patients,” said Dr. Brown.

In addition to honoring the graduates, the evening recognized the newest inductees of Sigma Phi Alpha National Dental Hygiene Honor Society: Zoe Demming, Courtney Smoke, and Kayley Ward. Additionally, students were presented with numerous awards that showcased the dedication of the graduating class. Congratulations to:

• Kayley Ward, The Western Society of Periodontology Student Award
• Leisa Perrin, The Colgate STAR Award
• Amber Nicotra, The Student-Voted Pure Award
• Allana Guild, The Golden Scaler Award

At the conclusion of the event, students also presented awards to the instructors. Each instructor was given a plaque engraved with a saying or lesson that they had shared with the class this year. It was the perfect way to highlight the relationships that were formed among students and faculty throughout the year.

About Clark’s Dental Hygiene Program

The Dental Hygiene program provides classroom and clinical experiences that successfully prepare students for the national board exam and various clinical licensing exams. Students serve the community by participating in oral health programs in area schools and caring for patients at the Free Clinic of Southwest Washington and other local facilities serving the community. Upon completion of the program, students earn a Bachelor of Applied Science in Dental Hygiene Degree.

A Milestone moment for Nursing Program

Clark College recently celebrated a historic achievement—its 150th nursing cohort—with a heartfelt pinning ceremony honoring 24 graduates. More than just a tradition, the event marked the culmination of rigorous training and the beginning of a new chapter in healthcare. Each graduate was joined on stage by a chosen supporter—whether a parent, partner, or close friend—who placed the nursing pin as a personal message was read aloud. A slideshow of photos and quotes added to this tribute.

Graduate Keaton Wilbanks spoke on behalf of the class, highlighting the clinical and academic experiences shared by the cohort. “We shared many firsts—first codes, first live births, first times facing death, our first experience with postpartum care, and having discussions with patients about conditions that will kill them,” Wilbanks said. “We showed up, we stayed, we supported each other. Somewhere along the way, we stopped being students in competition and became nurses as part of a much bigger community.” Wilbanks post-graduation plans include traveling the country with his wife, and work in critical care before applying to CRNA school with plans to be an anesthetist.

The ceremony included remarks from Clark College President Dr. Karin Edwards, Vice President of Instruction Dr. William “Terry” Brown, and Associate Dean of Nursing Jennifer Obbard. Professor Gabriele Canazzi provided a history of the nursing pin, and Professor Halina Brant-Zawadzki brought the graduates roses and read The Rose That Grew from Concrete by Tupac Shakur.

Jenny Fredrickson presented Emily Johnson with the Clinical Excellence Award. The award is based on professionalism, communication, clinical preparation, use of the nursing process, and organization. Johnson passed her NCLEX-RN exam and has been accepted to a residency position in critical care at Legacy Salmon Creek Hospital. She will also be starting the BSN program at Washington State University in the fall. The ceremony concluded with the nursing pledge, led by Angie Bailey and Mckenzie Montalvo.

History of the Nursing Program at Clark College

Clark College’s nursing program began during World War II, offering Nurse’s Aide training in response to labor shortages. In 1964, the college graduated its first class of 15 nurses from a newly developed associate degree program. Jean Hamilton, the program’s first director, helped establish the program—the first of its kind in the Pacific Northwest and the fifth in the country. She designed the curriculum to be transferable, enabling graduates to pursue higher degrees.

Prior to that, most nursing education occurred in hospital-based programs. When St. Joseph’s Hospital closed its nursing school in the mid-1950s, Clark College began offering practical nursing courses to meet regional demand. The program has continued to evolve, preparing nurses for entry into the profession and further academic study.

The Mathematics Department is excited to announce the recipients of this year’s Sigma Scholarships! This scholarship was established in the summer of 2020 to support and encourage students who are traditionally underrepresented in STEM fields to pursue higher-level mathematics. Because of your financial support, we are able to give the award to six students this year! We’re incredibly grateful for this support – you’re helping students pursue their dreams in STEM.

Congratulations to the following promising individuals of our STEM community:

Aidan Marroquin

Aidan’s area of concentration is Electrical Engineering, and he is attending Washington State University – Vancouver in the fall.

Andrea Chacin-Munoz

Andrea’s area of concentration is Civil Engineering, and she is attending the University of Washington in the fall.

Mireille Lueguer Ortiz

Mireille’s area of concentration is Mechanical Engineering, and she is continuing her education at Clark College in the fall.

Seth Stigall

Seth’s area of concentration is Computer Science, and he is pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree at Clark College in the fall.

Thomas Arellano

Thomas’s area of concentration is Electrical Engineering, and he is continuing his education at Clark College in the fall.

Zachary Zamora

Zachary’s area of concentration is Biomedical Engineering, and he is attending Washington State University – Pullman in the fall.

At Clark College, MESA (Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement) Scholars aren’t just preparing for degrees in STEM – they’re building networks, gaining real-world experience, and shaping their futures through one of the nation’s most impactful academic support programs.

Building Opportunity Through MESA

MESA is a national program designed to empower historically underrepresented students in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). At Clark, the program offers a strong community of support, combining mentorship, academic guidance, and hands-on workshops to help students persist in their STEM studies and launch meaningful careers.

A central feature of the program is its commitment to experiential learning. MESA maintains an up-to-date database of internships, research placements, and scholarships, and actively builds relationships with institutions, companies, and organizations to uncover new opportunities. Throughout the year, MESA hosts info sessions that give students insight into competitive application strategies and help them put their best foot forward.

MESA Scholars also participate in research fairs and industry visits, gaining a firsthand look at possible career paths in STEM.

Taco ‘Bout Internships & Scholarships

Every quarter, students come together for “Taco ‘Bout Internships & Scholarships” – informal work sessions where they work on internship and scholarship applications in a supportive, community-centered setting – complete with coffee, snacks, and a shared sense of purpose.

 The Value of Experiential Learning

Experiential learning – such as internships and research – is more than a résumé booster. It is essential for bridging classroom knowledge with real-world application.

These opportunities allow students to:

• Explore career paths in their field of interest
• Gain practical, hands-on experience
• Build confidence, motivation, and a strong STEM identity
• Earn income through paid internships
• Improve transfer and employment opportunities
• Develop professional connections and mentorships
• Clarify academic and career goals
• Strengthen critical thinking, communication, and leadership skills
• Support persistence, retention, and equity in STEM education

In today’s job market, employers often expect graduates to have both a degree (knowledge) and relevant experience.  Through MESA, students gain both—opening doors, building momentum, and becoming the leaders STEM needs.

Celebrating Our MESA Interns

We’re proud to announce that five outstanding MESA Scholars have secured internships and research opportunities this academic year/summer:

Oscar Garcia

• Major: Network Technology
• Internship: Online Support, Vancouver, WA as a Desktop Support Technician Intern

Oscar will assist with client troubleshooting (remote and onsite), data security, workstation setup, and account management.

Araylia-Marie Martinez

• Major: Bioengineering/Biomedical Engineering
• Internship: Hinds Laboratory, Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU), Portland, OR

Araylia-Marie is part of the OHSU Equity Internship Program, where she’ll conduct biomedical research focused on the biocompatibility of biomaterials.

Muhammad Rafique

• Major: Nursing
• Program: UW Nurse Camp, University of Washington, Seattle, WA

Muhammad will participate in immersive activities such as CPR and HIPAA training, infection control, vital sign monitoring, and shadowing nurses across hospital units. He will also receive mentorship from UW Nursing students and engage in professional networking.

Seth Stigall

• Major: Computer Science
• Internship: Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN

Selected for the Department of Energy’s Community College Internship (CCI) Program, Seth will collaborate with researchers to develop a unit conversion library for scientific software. He will present his work at the program’s conclusion.

Emma Sturm

• Major: Computer Science
• Internship: RS Medical, Vancouver, WA

As an IT Programming Intern, Emma supports system maintenance and programming using SQL, Python, Apex, HTML, and JavaScript.

We are excited for the skills, knowledge, and professional growth these students will gain. These internships not only enhance their classroom learning but also prepare them to complete their bachelor’s degrees and pursue meaningful careers. Each student will also receive a $1,000 stipend, generously funded by the Taco Bell Foundation Community Grant, in recognition of their dedication and hard work.

About Washington MESA 

The Washington MESA program is an educational pathway program administered by the University of Washington and established by the Washington State Legislature. Clark College is one of 12 community colleges in Washington that offers a MESA transfer prep program center for its students who plan to transfer to a four-year college to earn a bachelor’s degree. Learn more here. 

About MESA at Clark College

At Clark, the MESA Center includes a dedicated space for studying and creating community, as well as opportunities for mentorship, assistance with books and fees, conference participation, campus visits, and more. 

Clark College began its MESA program during the 2018-19 academic year. The program can serve up to 100 students and currently serves more than 80 students. Between 30 and 40 students are very active in the program. Others use the basic services, such as the textbook lending library.

Learn more about Clark’s MESA program here. 

Photos submitted.

It was an evening to remember at the Cascades Amphitheater as hundreds of students from Clark College crossed the stage to celebrate a milestone that, for some, had been years in the making. Pomp and Circumstance played throughout the loudspeakers as students made last-minute adjustments to gowns and straightened their caps before stepping through the double doors to the Amphitheater and into the next chapter of their lives.

To say students were excited would be an understatement; they didn’t file into the Amphitheater – they floated in, with pride and hope for the future carrying them to their seats. Families waved and hollered enthusiastically from the audience when they spotted their grad entering, their cheers echoing across the arena.

Each of this year’s 2,131 graduates savored the moment their name was called. Some waved their scrolls at the audience as they crossed the stage, and one even jumped and whooped after President Dr. Karin Edwards handed him the document. Each of these inspiring graduates represents the next generation of leaders, workers, scholars, and dreamers in Southwest Washington and beyond.

As Dr. Edwards said to the graduates in her closing remarks: “Your impact will send ripples far into the world and will touch lives in ways you may never know.” And we are Penguin Proud of them!

2025 Commencement Highlights

This year, Clark College conferred a total of 1,915 degrees and certificates and recognized 2,131 graduates. This is a 32% increase in graduates from last year.

By the Numbers

This year’s graduation numbers have grown significantly since last year:

• 2,131 graduates – up 32%
• 1,614 associate degrees awarded – up 35%

  • 1,291 of those were direct transfer degrees for students continuing to four-year universities – up 26%

• 903 career-technical graduates earned workforce-ready degrees or certifications – up 66%
• 604 Running Start students received both a high school diploma and a college credential – up 35%
• 580 professional certificates earned in a wide range of career-ready disciplines – up 66%
• 133 bachelor’s degrees awarded in applied fields like management, cybersecurity, dental hygiene, and human services – up 39%
• 100 adult high school diplomas – up nearly 59%

Coming Fall 2025: Degree Programs on the Rise

Dr. Edwards highlighted Clark’s new offerings, which are expanding to meet the needs of the region’s growing industries. Some graduates have elected to continue their education in the following areas this fall:

• Bachelor of Science in Computer Science – the college’s first BS degree
• AAT in Surgical Technology – the first of its kind in Southwest Washington
• Advanced Manufacturing Program – includes two new certificates and an integrated technology degree

Words of Wisdom from the Stage

Commencement speakers offered heartfelt reflections and encouragement to the graduating class.

President Dr. Edwards’ sentiments came full circle as she reminded students of her message on unity at the beginning of the year:

“As future leaders, thinkers, and change-makers, everyone is responsible for carrying this spirit of unity into the world. Strive to bridge gaps, foster collaboration, and create environments where everyone feels valued and included, whether in workplaces, communities, or schools. Use your collective knowledge, talents, and passions to create a brighter, more unified future.”

Clark College Board of Trustee Chair Denise Gideon above, shared the story of her own educational journey to show that we too often only see the finished product and not the perseverance it took to get there. She left graduates with this message:

“Stop measuring your worth against someone else’s journey. Your path is your own. And it is enough. While this chapter may be closing, I encourage you: don’t close the book. Stay open to the possibility of continuing your education – on your own timeline, in your own way. You have what it takes to go as far as your dreams will carry you.”

CCAHE Faculty Union President and Professor of Communications Studies Suzanne Southerland affirmed to the graduates that, in a time of disinformation and extreme divide, the world needs THEM.

“It needs your ability to work with passion and tenacity, it needs you to stay informed and to stay involved, it needs your problem solving and your sense of humor, it needs your capacity to care, your sense of right and wrong and your love for your fellow human. We need your ability to think deeply and act ethically and with compassion. So go out there and question authority and challenge those systems that just aren’t working.”

Student speaker Malina Siharath, above, who earned a direct transfer associate in arts degree,urged the Class of 2025:

“Your box may feel safe, but the steps you take outside of it will set you free. Trust in yourself, and the rest will follow. And as you walk across the stage tonight, diploma in hand – we’ll take that first step together. It’s time to step out of the box.”

Special Student Recognitions

The 2025 Community College Presidents’ Award, in honor of Val Ogden, was presented to Gurraj Singh Dhami, who impressed the Presidential Scholarship Task Force with his academic excellence, leadership, work ethic, and drive to help others and give back to his community. This annual scholarship is awarded to a Clark College graduate who is transferring to Washington State University – Vancouver.

In his application, Gurraj shared, “Higher education is the door to my dream. It helps me grow, learn, and one day, give back. I want to make my family and community proud. This is because I want to honor everyone important in my life – my grandparents, parents, and sisters.”

With the help of the Clark College Foundation, two additional students were recognized with $1,500 scholarships:

• Josh Bergstrom graduated with an associate in arts degree and plans to continue his studies in political science and eventually attend law school with the goal of becoming a congressman.
• Dorji Damdul graduated with an associate in arts degree in Business Administration with plans to study finance and become a financial advisor.

In Their Own Words

Before the ceremony began, students mingled with faculty members outside the Amphitheater, sharing the stories that brought them to where they are today.

Lucinda Nieves, who earned her AA in Health Information Management, proudly represented the Quinault Tribe by wearing a cedar-woven cap, continuing a longstanding tradition in her tribe.

As her cap stated, Lorelei Steuben was truly “Made to Teach.” She asked all of the students in her student teaching class to sign her cap – a reminder of the lives she touched that she could carry with her across the stage.

After coming to the United States as a homeless 10-year-old, Veronica Bustillos didn’t know what college was, so she didn’t even consider higher education an option. She went through setbacks but also had four beautiful children – they are what kept her on track when she was struggling. Because of them, she proudly stood on that stage as a first-generation graduate with a bachelor’s degree in human services. She even received a full-ride scholarship to PSU to pursue a master’s degree in social work.

“When I got the honors cord, I about died,” Veronica shared as she straightened the many pieces of regalia on her shoulders. “I’d been working my butt off to get good grades. I’ve never been a good student, so that meant a lot to me.”

Fortunato Hernandez Espinoza earned his diploma from Clark alongside his daughter, Miriam Espinoza. Miriam and the rest of his family are the ones who motivated him to continue his studies, as he wanted to achieve a better life for them. He hopes this education will help him reach the next level in his career.

With pride (and a bit of humor), Kat Skvartsova showcased her post-graduation on her cap. She’s known she’s wanted to be a pharmacy tech since sitting in her high school chemistry class – after falling in love with the subject, she became determined to find a career in the pharmaceutical field.

Jennifer McMillan earned her nursing degree, a longtime dream that she pursued after losing her job after the pandemic hit. After her husband passed away on her second day in the nursing program, she knew that he would want her to continue chasing her dreams. Now, she works at The Vancouver Clinic, putting to use the degree that she overcame so much to earn.

Relive the Excitement

Browse photos from the 2025 Commencement on Flickr or watch the ceremony on YouTube!

Photos: Clark College

Before tassels were turned and degrees were conferred at the official 2025 Commencement, celebrations were in full swing across the Clark College campus. In the weeks leading up to the big day, departments across campus hosted their own heartfelt ceremonies to honor the achievements of their graduating students.

Diversity Center | International Programs | BASTE | MESA

Diversity Center Graduation Reception

The Diversity Center hosted its annual Graduation Reception on June 12, celebrating the hard work, perseverance, resilience, and achievements of graduating students. Each graduate was honored with a stole or cord representing their unique identity. As part of a touching tradition, students also selected a rose to present to someone who had made a meaningful impact on their journey—a powerful reminder that no one crosses the finish line alone.

The event included remarks from proud 2018 Clark alum, Ana Betancourt Macias, who shared her journey and how the Diversity Center connected her with the resources she needed to overcome obstacles and find her voice. She encouraged graduates to use their experiences to open doors for others and never stop believing that change is possible.

Chishayla Kimmons, who graduated with a degree in business and marketing, was the student keynote speaker for this year’s ceremony. She gave a powerful speech about how everyone in the audience represented both individuality and unity – every graduate, regardless of their differences, showed perseverance, determination, hard work, brilliance, and resilience. She closed with her personal motto: “Never give up while inspiring others.”

See more moments from this event on Flickr. Learn more about Clark’s Diversity Center.

International Programs Graduation Celebration

The Office of International Programs honored 16 graduates from 12 different countries at this year’s celebration. The event also highlighted this year’s award winners, students who completed the Intensive English Language Program, and recognized the impact of the peer mentors – graduates Binh Ngoc from Vietnam and Huijun Tao from China – have had on their fellow international students.

 Jody Shulnak, Director of International Programs, and Maggie Li, International Programs Manager, presented each student with a stole that reflected their home country – a small token of their culture that they could carry across the stage as they entered the next phase of their journey.

Congratulations to the following graduates:

• Maria Bassily, Lebanon
• Connor Doona, England
• Ngoc Hoang, Vietnam
• Mercy Kariuki, Kenya
• Veronicah Muthoni Liebert, Kenya
• Shedrack Stanley Mollel, Tanzania
• Janista Namphochai, Thailand
• Binh Ngo, Vietnam
• Chawalit Pisonpoon, Thailand
• Ximing Rui, China
• Natalia Storojuc, Moldova
• Huijun Tao, China
• Isabella Wiebe, Canada
• Chengyuan Wu, Taiwan
• Marina Lvova, Russia
• Thi Bao Chau Truong, Vietnam

See more moments from this event on Flickr. Learn more about Clark’s International Programs.

Bachelor of Applied Science in Teacher Education (BASTE) Graduation Celebration

Clark College proudly honored the second graduating cohort of the BASTE program with an exciting pinning ceremony – a meaningful milestone marking their transition from students to educators. Congratulations to this year’s graduates as they get ready to step into classrooms with purpose and passion to inspire the next generation!

• Tylar Rothe
• Maddy Benaziz
• Kacia Brunelle
• Jayden Spies
• Miriam Abarca-Ugarte
• Breeana Bowman
• Robyn Develle
• Lorelei Stuben

Learn more about the BASTE program at Clark.

Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement (MESA) Graduation & Scholarship Celebration

Congratulations to this year’s MESA graduates and scholarship recipients, who were honored at this year’s celebration! Scholarships are made possible through the generous support of the Taco Bell Foundation Community Grant.

Graduates/Transferring Students

• Jessica Nguyen
• Analyn Rose
• Seth Stigall
• Taylor Van Dyke
• Nicole Vara Madriz
• Johanna Wagner
• Kai Welch

MESA Scholarship Recipients

• Chelsey Kate Syrell Balao
• Avreet Kaur Dhami
• Oscar Garcia
• Stacy Madrigal
• Jessica Nguyen
• Victoria Quijada-Ic
• Maisy Sibayan
• Seth Stigall
• Thay My Tran
• Camille Villanueva
• Kai Welch

Learn more about the MESA program at Clark.

Relive the Excitement of the official 2025 Commencement

• Read more about on 24/7 Clark News
• Browse photos on Flickr
• Watch the official ceremony on YouTube!

On May 22, the latest cohort of the Clark College BUILD program gathered to celebrate completion of the BUILD program, surrounded by the cheerful “yellow” theme—with yellow smiley face balloons, yellow cake, and yellow roses.

Dubbed the “Yellow Cohort,” 22 graduates presented project ideas, reflected on their growth, and received certificates of completion in front of peers and college leadership, including President Dr. Karin Edwards.

What is BUILD?

BUILD—which stands for Building Understanding and Intercultural Leadership Development, is a year-long program led by the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. This year’s cohort is the 6^th to go through the program.

Participants spend the year having challenging conversations about equitable decision-making, challenging white supremacy culture, and thinking about the internal work required for us to be become allies and change-makers.

Each participant also works with a group to develop and present a project proposal for advancing equity and a sense of belonging at Clark.

After presentations, BUILD grads earn a certificate. But the work isn’t over. The hope is that the BUILD grads will continue to participate in the BUILD community, engage in lifelong learning about equity work, and be an advocate for change throughout the college community.

Project Proposals

Before graduation, BUILD participants presented projects they developed using the equitable decision-making tool.

Universal Event Attendance Tracking Tool Proposal

Lisa Barsotti, Byron Ford, Nicola Lippetti, Caitlin Malvar, Susan Martin, Carly Rae Zent

This group decided to design a project proposal that would promote a sense of belonging through a better understanding of how campus events reach students. The project would take advantage of the new advanced data-tracking tool, Watermark, that Clark is currently working to implement.

Their universal attendance tracking tool would create a database for departments across campus to use and track attendance at their events. That way, by looking at disaggregated data, departments could find patterns in what student populations are underserved, and change event design and promotion to better accommodate underserved students.

The Evolve Experience Proposal

Laura Borgman, Stephanie Leeper, Nathan Stewart-Otto, Jonathan Woofter

This group proposed a project designed to reach people who responded to the climate survey and believe that “if I don’t see bias, it doesn’t exist.” They proposed bringing in an organization called the Red Door Project, which has a program called “The Evolve Experience.”

This experience uses theatre techniques to promote empathy between extremely polarized groups and explore nuances in complex relationships. Group 3 wishes to invite the Red Door Project to work with Clark on a custom experience that will resonate with the Clark community.

Employee Features Proposal

Angelina Albulov, Cheyanne Pfeifer, Tina Jenkins, Frani Morris, Dennis Blew

This group noticed that the climate survey indicated a lack of sense of belonging among staff and faculty. They worked to create a project that might increase belonging as well as break down silos between departments.

They proposed having rotating highlights of individual employees on ClarkNet, where employees will encounter them when seeking other information. The highlights could include specific information about what the employee does, what questions they can help with, as well as personal hobbies. The project also advocated for an employee forum.

A Common Read Proposal

Michael Caldwell, Teresa Hay, Kelly Love, Suzanne Southerland, Christi Williams

This group also identified the lack of a sense of belonging among staff and faculty. They proposed a project that would help foster community and belonging through conversation—a common read!

To make the experience more equitable, they propose a multi-modal version of a common read with different ways of engaging with the text, including audio and film. They hope the common read would engage employees and offer an easy way to start a conversation when meeting new folks, as well as promote deeper conversations.

What’s Next?

BUILD members will continue to develop their project proposals! If you’re interested in getting involved, feel free to reach out to group members.

Applications for the next BUILD cohort will open in the fall. If you have any questions or are interested, reach out to Andra Spencer (aspencer@clark.edu).

Clark College’s Allied Health programs have been recognized as the 2025 Partner of the Year by ESD 112’s Career Connect Southwest! The Allied Health team – represented by Dean Dr. Scot Headley, Olga Lyubar, and Lisa Barsotti – was honored at the STEM Rising Star and Regional Partner Awards Ceremony at ESD 112 on June 9. The event served as a celebration of meaningful and strategic collaboration across southwest Washington.

“This partnership has helped bring greater alignment between education and workforce systems, opening doors for students to explore and pursue careers in high-demand healthcare fields,” said Chad Mullen, Network Manager for Career Connect Southwest. “Their commitment to innovation and student-centered programming makes them a standout example of what’s possible when education and industry work together.”

Clark’s Allied Health team has partnered with ESD 112 on multiple projects this year, including the Healthcare Pathways Education and Industry Summit on March 7 and a CTE Dual Credit workshop for local high school teachers on February 27.

Education Meets Workforce

This summer, Clark is hosting AH 104, a rural healthcare camp that serves as an introduction to the healthcare field and the many professions available as career choices.

Five high school students from Kalama and one from White Salmon will visit campus for two weeks to learn from Allied Health instructor Miranda Devault, in collaboration with multiple healthcare professionals from The Vancouver Clinic. Through this partnership, students will have the opportunity to shadow different healthcare professionals, an invaluable experience as each student is planning to go into the healthcare field when they graduate. This event is graciously being funded by the Clark College Foundation and Entry Services. Upon completion, the six students will also receive three college credits.

Our partnership with ESD 112 also benefits teachers! A STEM teacher’s experience – which kicked off June 16 at the ESD 112 Conference Center – allows four high school teachers from Vancouver Public Schools to earn 30 clock hours – 15 of them STEM clock hours – and a $1500 stipend for participating in the Learning from and in the Healthcare Field workshop. They will gain firsthand exposure to healthcare careers and the skills needed in the field by working alongside local healthcare professionals and technical staff at The Vancouver Clinic. Dr. Headley’s former colleague, Dr. Maranda Turner from George Fox University, will provide specialized facilitation on how to integrate healthcare themes into their curriculum, and participants will have the opportunity to share their insights with fellow educators at a professional symposium happening this fall.

Learn More

Learn more about the impactful work from this partnership:

• Clark College Health Care & Biosciences
• Allied Health Center of Excellence
• Career Connect Southwest

This year’s OSWALD Awards Ceremony was a Penguin star-studded event with over 100 students being recognized for their outstanding achievements. As guests arrived, they had the opportunity to pose in front of the camera with props for fun photo-ops and fill their plates with delectable refreshments.

Following heartfelt introductions from Dr. Edwards and ASCC President Gurraj Singh Dhami, award recipients from each category were individually called to the stage as an ASCC member shared glowing comments from each nomination—testimonies of the passion and dedication of Clark’s students.

Students were recognized in the following categories:

• The Academic Awards are presented to students who have demonstrated outstanding achievement in their academic endeavors. These students have taken every opportunity to learn and go above and beyond to submit exceptional work. They are dedicated to their studies and display skills and abilities to make them lifelong learners.
• The Student Employee Awards are given to students who have an outstanding attitude toward work and build cooperative and collaborative relationships with others.
• The Outstanding Student in the Department Awards are given to students with outstanding course work who demonstrate intellectual pursuit and make extra efforts for the department. 
• The ASCC Program Awards recognize students who are involved with programs that provide students with out-of-class opportunities to enhance their learning experience, engaging them in educational, cultural, and social events.

The Penguin Award

This year, there were seven nominees for the prestigious Penguin Award – an annual tradition, awarded to a student who has demonstrated outstanding leadership and service to the Clark College community. This award is based on student performance in academics, leadership, community, and college service.

When Dr. Edwards announced her name as the winner, Jude Georgeades-Tambara was in shock, immediately turning to hug fellow nominee Malina Siharath. The room erupted in applause as families, friends, staff members, and fellow students celebrated Jude’s win.

“Over the past two years, I’ve watched Jude grow in confidence and leadership skills.” Darci Feider shared in Jude’s nomination. “Now as a third-year Student Ambassador, Jude continues to impress with her ability to connect authentically with both prospect and current student. Her infectious enthusiasm and positive attitude make her a joy to work with and a strong representative of our college.”

Well done, Penguin Award Nominees!

• Edith Aranciaga
• Veronica Bustillos
• Mary Chavez
• Jude Georgeades-Tambara
• Ashlynn Runnels
• Malina Siharath
• Seth Stigall Barranco

Student Employee Awards

Outstanding Student in the Department Awards

ASCC Program Awards

Photos: Clark College/Malena Goerl

Clark College welcomed fourteen newly tenured faculty members at the 2025 Tenure Reception on June 3. Together with Clark’s Board of Trustees, Dr. Karin Edwards, Tenure Support Supervisor DJ Scates, fellow faculty members, students, and families, these recipients celebrated the incredible effort they made throughout the process.

Administrators from each department introduced their newly tenured faculty members, giving the audience a glimpse into the impact each instructor has had on their students, colleagues, and community. Some recipients chose to give a brief thank you speech, encompassing the spirit of gratitude that flowed through the entirety of the event.

This year, the Board of Trustees unanimously granted tenure to the following outstanding educators.

Mohammad (Giga) Alqeeq, Cybersecurity

Giga helped build the Bachelor of Applied Sciences in Cybersecurity program and created workshops centered on online privacy and security. Despite his extensive experience in the field, he leaves his ego at the door, truly honoring and highlighting the contributions of all his students. Giga’s teaching philosophy is to use varying approaches so that students can choose what works best for them.

Halina Brant-Zawadski, Nursing

Bringing a wealth of knowledge to her theory and clinic work at Clark, Helina focuses on trauma responsive education, addressing stress management, equity, inclusion, and trauma-informed care with her students. Always going above and beyond, she is a calm, approachable resource for students.

Jay Fancher, Anthropology

Jay’s journey at Clark College began in 2014 as an adjunct professor. In 2019, he stepped in as the interim Chair of Anthropology with no guarantee of a permanent position, simply because he cares about this work. When he shares with students his fascination with things like mysterious fossils and lost civilizations, he teaches them practical life skills: curiosity, critical thinking, cultural relativism, and empathy. Jay’s teaching reflects the college’s mission for DEI; he invites students to step beyond their own worldview and biases and see those with different perspectives with respect.

Brandon Johnson, Automotive

Although new to formal teaching, Brandon has a natural talent and heart for mentoring. By creating a safe environment for his students to ask questions, he shows the care and attentiveness he has to them. Recognizing that the struggle of problem-solving is crucial in the automotive field, he finds the right timing when offering guidance so that students are eager to learn. Brandon often shares stories about his experience in the field that emphasizes the concepts students are learning, creating impactful, real-world examples.

Molly Lampros, Communications

Molly is a masterful curriculum designer and focuses on building relationships with her students. After completing significant research on trauma-informed teaching practices, she implemented what she learned in her own classroom. She believes in an equitable, discussion-based, student-centered learning environment in which all opinions are considered.

Teresa Lashchuk, Nursing

Since joining the Clark faculty in 2011 as an adjunct nursing instructor, Teresa has made major contributions to the school and community. She encourages critical thinking skills through empowerment and promotes inclusion, which enables learners to feel supported and safe. Students appreciate her relevant curriculum, as she brings real-world situations to her courses.

Josephine Lesage, Environmental Biology

Josie creates excitement about the natural world for her students and believes that the best learning happens outdoors. As an organized, passionate, and kind instructor, her students walk away from her lessons with a deeper appreciation of the patterns that govern life on our planet. By using active learning, group work, and check-ins to help students develop learning strategies and develop a growth mindset, Josie truly fosters curiosity in her students.

Brian Miyake, Surveying & Geomatics

Brian has made significant contributions to his department, both in academics and in community presence. He creates strong connections with regional surveying professionals and is a dedicated advisor to his students. This year, he guided his students to the National Society of Professional Surveyors 24^th Annual Student Competition in Washington DC, where they won first place – an impressive testament to Brian’s leadership. With a commitment to meeting students where they are, he uses culturally responsive teaching methods to provide transformative education and takes the time to help students learn complex topics.

Victor Morales, Philosophy

Throughout his teaching career, Victor has built a reputation as a mentor who creates spaces for students to share their lived experiences. He continues that mission at Clark, where he created and mentors the Philosophy Club for students. As an instructor, Victor is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion, accounting for diverse backgrounds and learning styles in his pedagogical strategies. By including role-playing exercises, group work, and simulations to promote critical thinking, he provides students a safe platform to share their opinions.

Jesse Morse, English

Every year, with his wife and fellow instructor, Jennifer Denrow, Jesse co-directs Clark’s annual Spring Writing Workshop, bringing together and inspiring a community of writers. He is also the author of Flash Floods are Anomalies, a collection of poems published by Finishing Line Press in 2021. At the center of Jesse’s teaching are equity and cultural inclusiveness. Through a student-centered approach to instruction, he creates a classroom where students of all ethnicities, backgrounds, and abilities feel brave and vulnerable enough to engage deeply in learning.

Janine Rieck, Health Information Management

Janine’s philosophy of providing consistent support to her online classes creates an accessible and equitable environment. She builds her courses to provide an online learning experience that is equivalent to or surpasses the in-class experience, including intuitive videos, tips, tricks, and how-to instructions for students to ensure they always feel included and part of a community. Janine is highly driven and established a health information management club for students, encouraging them to give back to their community.

Natasja Swartz, Chemistry

Natasja’s curriculum celebrates the whole learner by removing impediments to success. She uses best practices from chemical education research blended into a cultural heritage framework to teach complex and interdisciplinary science. Known for her compassion and strong commitment to creating a supportive environment, Natasja pushes her students to think outside the box.

Cydney Topping, English

With the goal of helping students find the magic and joy of learning, Cydney designs her courses with intention, ensuring her students see their experiences reflected in the curriculum. An enthusiastic and creative team member, she also serves on the department committee tasked with redesigning Clark’s literature curriculum to reflect student-centered courses. She hopes to be a mentor for her students, cheering them forward on their educational journey.  

Gibran Zogbi, Accounting 

As the ultimate team player, Gibran is always available to help students and colleagues, who appreciate his enthusiasm, responsiveness, and the energy he brings to the classroom. He is committed to promoting virtue in his teaching by encouraging students to be the best version of themselves. His teaching style often goes beyond accounting, forging character in the classroom as he emphasizes to students that the kind of person they become is more important than what they do or have.

About the Tenure Process

Tenure is awarded by the college’s board of trustees based on professional excellence and outstanding abilities in their disciplines. The granting of tenure is based on the recommendations of tenure review committees to the Vice President of Instruction, which are then forwarded to the President, who presents a final recommendation to the board of trustees. Recommendations are based on self-evaluations, tenure review committee evaluations, student evaluations, supervisory evaluations, and peer evaluations. The final decision to award or withhold tenure rests with the board of trustees.

Photos: Clark College/Jenny Shadley
More photos can be viewed on Flickr.

The white walls of Archer Gallery came alive with drawings, photography, paintings, and more at the opening reception of the 2025 Art Student Annual Exhibit on May 27. Three-dimensional pieces, such as ceramics and metals, stood on pedestals, while a digital media piece played on a TV, complete with headphones that allowed attendees to fully immerse themselves in its artistry. Families, friends, and staff explored the gallery, speaking with the artists about their pieces, each one curated over the past year by their art professors.

Every piece was unique, drawing the eye to color, shape, shadow, texture, and detail. One painting, bright with shades of blue and featuring a young woman with birds perched on her shoulders, was hard to miss. Nightfall by Olive Popp – who won the “Most Ambitious” award – stood out not only for its visual impact, but for the story behind it.

“I wanted the piece to feel dreamy, with a modern feel to it,” Olive said of her self-portrait. In the painting, she looks to the past, with ancient Greece in the background. But as an artist, Olive is looking forward, with plans to challenge her creativity in new ways as a makeup artist.

For Meilani Schille, inspiration came from the screen. Her watercolor piece, Personal Battles, blends elements from her favorite movies and TV shows into an eye-catching collage of pop culture. The layers of emotion and nostalgia reflect her approach to painting: letting layers of watercolor build into deeper, more vivid compositions.

Olivia K Smith, whose piece Virus won her “Best in Show”, also found her spark in visual storytelling. She credits watching cartoons at ten years old as the beginning of her artistic journey.

“The things I’m creating today – childhood me wouldn’t believe it,” Olivia shared with a smile.

With such a wide range of voices and visions on display, selecting winners was no easy task. That responsibility fell to Artist-in-Residence Bruce Conkle, who was tasked with making difficult decisions in a room full of deserving work.

“As a faculty member, I have had the joy of watching these artists work and discover their unique creative voices,” said Kendra Larson, Archer Gallery Director. “Time and again I am surprised by their ingenuity and tenacity. When things don’t go as planned, they are not deterred – instead employing a healthy sense of humor.”

The exhibit offers viewers the opportunity to glimpse into the artists’ creative journeys and celebrate their growth, dedication, and hard work.

This year’s winners include:

• Best in Show: Olivia Smith, Virus
• Most Ambitious: Olive Popp, Nightfall
• 1^st Place in Ceramics: Katie Wilson, Burger Coasters
• 2^nd Place in Ceramics: Angel Shetley, Cult of the Black Lamb
• 1^st Place in Drawing: Xavier Aguirre, Drowning in Joy
• 2^nd Place in Drawing: Britany Grable, Pots and Cups
• 3^rd Place in Drawing: Ariana Liseckas, Modern
• 1^st Place in Painting: Xavier Aguirre, Savor Me
• 2^nd Place in Painting: Thaily Garibay, Untitled
• 3^rd Place in Painting: Brady Creswell, It’s You Again
• 1^st Place in Photography: Coleman Merle, Reflections from the Past
• 2^nd Place in Photography: Olivia Porton, Follow Through
• 3^rd Place in Photography: Sam Keil, The L
• Best Print: India Tillson, Kool Aid
• Best Watercolor: Mary Clark, Lily Pads on Dreams
• Best Graphic Design: Yuliia Umanets, Typographic Mutation
• Best in Comics: Seb Golding, Maggie Hall
• Best Metals: Katie Swaim, Moon and Stars
• Best Silver Gelatin Print: Anselmo Esquivel-Soto, Untitled

Plan Your Visit to the Exhibit

The Art Student Annual Exhibit is open for viewing May 27-June 16, Monday-Saturday 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. For more details on the Archer Gallery, visit www.archergallery.com.

Photos: Clark College/Malena Goerl